The January transfer window is closed and the landscape at Middlesbrough is now very different.

A busier than expected window for Boro saw six new players arrive, while six have departed. Lukas Engel is expected to become a seventh, when his loan move to FC Cincinnati is completed.

In the main, and certainly from an attacking viewpoint, Michael Carrick’s options have been strengthened for the run-in, as all focus now goes towards the race for the Championship play-offs. In the new balance of the squad at Boro though, who are the big winners of January? We take a closer look.

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Ryan Giles

After 18 months and three separate attempts, Ryan Giles is finally a Boro player again. And given how tough the time in between his return and initial loan move has been, he has to be considered a winner.

Giles was desperate for the move in the summer. The two clubs were in negotiations for a long time and you can only imagine how the left-back felt when it all broke down and his dream of reuniting with Michael Carrick was shattered.

After making only 11 league starts for relegation-threatened Hull City, the relief must have been huge when the deal between Hull and Boro was resurrected last month. Admitting after his return that he felt such an emotional attachment to Boro, he’s absolutely thrilled to back - and determined to prove himself as well. He’ll certainly get plenty of chance to in Carrick’s Boro side.

Anfernee Dijksteel

Anfernee Dijksteel could have easily been added to the exiteers list last month. Millwall held strong interest in taking the right-back on loan, with Boro open to the idea providing they could secure a replacement. That’s largely because Dijksteel is out of contract in the summer and, a high earner at Boro, is expected to leave.

However, having assessed what options they had at right-back by means of replacement, Carrick decided that an already busy window of huge change to squad could start becoming too disruptive, and it was decided not to let Dijksteel move on.

In truth, the Suriname international has been Boro’s best right-back this season, in what has been a season of Boro renaissance for him. Luke Ayling’s form continues to be a real concern, and though Dijksteel is out injured right now, there’s a very fair argument that he should be first-choice right-back when back.

George Edmundson

After a difficult couple of years at Ipswich Town with minimal game-time, Edmundson was delighted to make a summer switch to Boro. Initially as cover for injuries, the centre-back’s early performances were so impressive that he quickly moved himself up the pecking order.

But it was very nearly all ripped away from him last month when Ipswich used their recall clause in the defender’s loan agreement and forced him to return to Portman Road. It came after negotiations to make the loan deal a permanent one had failed to reach an agreement.

Thankfully for Edmundson, despite being forced to unnecessarily miss two important Boro games, a deal was made and Edmundson returned to Teesside and went straight back into the side on Monday against Sunderland. It’s fair to say he was far from his best in that one, but with his long-term future secure, hopefully the 27-year-old can recapture that early-season form now that all doubts are removed.

Aidan Morris

Aidan Morris was largely the inspiration behind Middlesbrough wanting to sign another central midfielder this month. His tenacity and bite was missed so much during his recent two-month absence that Boro decided they wanted another like him.

In the end, despite various attempts, Boro were unable to secure another midfield addition and it means, with 16 games remaining, they’re now relying heavily on the USA international. He’s unlikely to complain about that!

Morris has excelled since moving to Boro in the summer from Columbus Crew. His buzz for playing football is clear to see and while Carrick might still have to protect him carefully moving forward, it goes without saying that the 23-year-old will want to play as much as possible. With no natural deputy right now, his chances of doing so are high.

Jonny Howson

Currently out injured, Jonny Howson has had a really frustrating campaign. After an injury in the second game of the season, he was only back for six games before he suffered a groin issue that has kept him sidelined since Christmas.

Howson is expected back soon though and when he is, he’ll be desperate to play as much as possible in the run in. While Morris and Hayden Hackney appear to have the midfield positions nailed down, not signing another midfielder keeps the 36-year-old firmly as main backup.

On top of that, Boro decided against signing another centre-back, despite allowing Matt Clarke to leave for Derby County. With only three fit senior central defenders now in the squad, Howson could earn game-time in that role if Boro find themselves suffering a couple of more defensive injuries. Howson certainly won’t mind. He’s played the role before, and will just be happy to be playing at all.